Multi-block coupled polyoxyalkylene copolymer surfactants

Abstract

Multi-block coupled polyoxyalkylene copolymer surfactants are prepared from individual blocks of polymers and copolymers of alkylene oxides by reacting these with bifunctional compounds to form polycarbonate esters and polyformals.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A polyformal compound having the formula ##STR6## wherein Y is the residue of an ethylene glycol or propylene glycol minus the terminal hydrogen atoms, M is a hydrophilic chain of units selected from the group consisting of oxyethylene and oxyethylene-oxypropylene units wherein the oxyethylene content of said hydrophilic chain is from about 75 to 100 weight percent and the oxypropylene content is from 0 to about 25 weight percent, the number of oxyethylene and oxypropylene groups in M being from about 2 to about 15,   N is a hydrophobic chain of units selected from the group consisting of oxypropylene units and oxyethylene-oxypropylene units wherein the oxypropylene content is from about 75 to 100 weight percent and the oxyethylene content is from 0 to about 25 weight percent, the number of oxyethylene and oxypropylene groups in N being from about 2 to about 10, wherein ##STR7##  are linked together either in a random or an ordered manner, R is M or N, and   a and b are integers from 2 to 20 in a ratio between 1:9 to 9:1.   
     
     
       2. A polyformal compound having the formula ##STR8## wherein Y is the residue of an ethylene glycol or propylene glycol containing therein two terminal hydroxyl groups minus the terminal hydrogen atoms, M is a hydrophilic chain of units selected from the group consisting of oxyethylene and oxyethylene-oxypropylene units wherein the oxyethylene content of said hydrophilic chain is from about 75 to 100 weight percent and the oxypropylene content is from 0 to about 25 weight percent, the number of oxyethylene and oxypropylene groups in M being from about 2 to about 15, N is a hydrophobic chain of units selected from the group consisting of oxypropylene units and oxyethylene-oxyproylene units wherein the oxypropylene content is from about 75 to 100 weight percent and the oxyethylene content is from 0 to 25 weight percent, the number of oxyethylene and oxypropylene groups in N being from about 2 to about 10, wherein ##STR9##  are linked together either in a random or an ordered number, R is M or N, and   a and b are integers from 2 to 20 in a ratio between 1:9 to 9:1.